So much has happened since my last blog! I’ve met many great people; from the man who made me a delicious sandwich for lunch, to the welcoming staff at IAU, to the wonderful friends I’ve made and hope to keep in touch long after my trip here. But there is a story I must tell before the craziness of weekend sets in. Yesterday morning before my afternoon class, I went on a trip to ‘Les Calanques’ in Cassis with my sister, Megan, and two friends I met, Vera and Meghan (two Megan/Meghan’s, confusing, I know!).
In order to get to Cassis, we had to take a bus from Aix-en-Provence to Aubagne, and then another bus from Aubagne to Cassis. No problem right? Well… getting there wasn’t the problem for us. We arrived with few issues and actually had a lovely time at the beach by the Mediterranean. It was very breathtaking with the hot sun, crystal clear water, and smooth stoned beach.
However, on the way back to the bus stop, we had quite a bit of difficulty. Much to our surprise, the bus stop we got off at wasn’t the one we were able to board to get back to Aubagne. The bus stops form a loop in and out of Cassis. With an hour to spare until our bus was to arrive to take us back home, we walked on to try and find the correct bus stop. After much uphill walking and no sight of another bus stop, we began to lack confidence. So I spotted a man working in the yard a few feet above the street and decided to ask him for directions. Fortunately, I knew exactly how to ask politely thanks to Polly Platt’s French or Foe. According to this book I read before I departed for France this summer, the 10 magic words to use if help from a stranger is needed are “Excusez-moi de vous déranger Madame/Monsieur, mais j’ai un problème”. Of course, after saying “Bonjour, Monsieur” first, I quickly noticed the change in his body language. The minute I said those ten words, he crouched down to be eye level with me and smiled while pointing in the direction of the bus stop. I was very grateful and the four of us were on our way.
Unfortunately, my friends and I were still lost so I did have to use the ten magic words again with a construction worker who helped us further. And then once at the bus stop, realizing that we were at the wrong one when our bus passed us. But we finally made it on the bus (after scrambling to catch it at the next stop). Although we almost missed the bus, I was so thrilled and delighted that I was able to communicate with the strangers on the street. People here are reserved but friendly, the environment is chaotic but exciting, and the food is exotic but delicious. Please don’t ever make me leave <3